World Bulletin / News Desk

The city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has won the bid to host a World Expo, becoming the first city to do so in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.

The Turkish province of Izmir was among the bidding cities for Expo 2020 but lost again in the second round. It was previously beaten by Milan to host Expo 2015.

Dubai is a major center in the Middle East, with a thriving economy predicated on construction, finance, and oil industries.

It won with 116 votes against 47 for Russia's Yekaterinburg in the final vote, which was preceded by first and second rounds that saw off Sao Paolo and Izmir.

World Expos are held every five years and draw millions of people to host cities.

The exhibitions, which last six months, act as a catalyst for economic, cultural and social change and generate lasting legacies for the host city and nation.

EXPO 2010 took place in Shanghai, attracting 73 million people.